Chapter 2
They continued right down the street. Drawing ever closer to William's Castle. The crowd thinned as they approached the gatehouse. A large stone wall surrounded the castle and its grounds. Several people walked in and out of the gate, nodding to the guard as they did. Ethan swallowed, he had never been inside the gates before. He sidled up to the guard, an older gentlemen with a thick white beard. A Gogoat with a iron battle helmet slept on the ground beside him.
"Halt there son, state your business." He said, holding up a hand. Ethan shifted the bushes in his arm so he could clearly see the guard.
"Afternoon sir, I have two rose bushes from Heather and Hibiscus for the Baroness. I believe she ordered them about a week ago." The guard slowly nodded his head and jerked his thumb toward the gate.
"Inside and to the left, you will see the gardens. Beside that is the kitchen and the servants quarters, you can drop them off there." Ethan thanked the guard and walked through the gate.
He gazed at the castle in sheer wonder. The details that he had never been able to make out at a distance were more beautiful than he could imagine. Long banners of a Pidgeot above the peak hung from the rough stone walls of the castle. Statues of terrifying Pokemon were placed on the balconies and turrets. The towers were only shadowed by Pidgeot's could see small glimmers of something among the branches of the nest.
Absol pushed the back of Ethan's knee and he snapped back into reality. He turned left as instructed and saw the beautifully kept gardens of the castle. He moved through the gardens, staring at the huge flowers and topiaries situated within a maze of low hedge walls. As he neared the center of the garden, Ethan came across a large topiary of a four-legged Pokemon with a cross-like wheel attached to the center of its body. Ethan continued to stare at the topiary as he walked toward the servants quarters.
"Absol!" Ethan turned his head to look at his friend.
"What is it bud.." Ethan felt something collide with the front of the pots, the force of it sent branches backwards and thorns raked across Ethan's face, "AAHHH!" He heard a large body thud to the ground in front of him out of eyesight. Several small clay pots of flowers crashed on the ground.
"Oww, watch where you're going!" a voice said. Ethan quickly put the pots down and began frantically scraping up the clay shards.
"I'm so sorry, I should have been playing better attention m'lady." He looked up to see a girl sat in the dirt. She was short with a mess of curly brown hair. She had large glasses, a slightly pointed nose, and a tan complexion. She was extremely pretty. Ethan felt his cheeks burn bright red as she got up and brushed the dirt off her dress.
Ethan jumped up quickly, "Uh, hi. I'm Ethan. Uhh" Absol eyed Ethan with a slight smile on his face. Meowth got your tongue? Ethan gave Absol a very flat look before continuing. "I'm really sorry about this, I was distracted, I can pay for the pots."
She rubbed her leg slightly, "It's ok. I'm just a servant so m'lady is inappropriate. My name is Evelynn." She held out her hand, which Ethan shook nervously. She eyed Ethan's face, "Looks like you got off worse than I did."
Ethan wiped his face with his hand, feeling blood trickling out of several small cuts. "Ah, I'll be fine. Tis but a scratch." He wiped the cuts with the cuff of his shirt, Absol looked up at him concerned until his head snapped toward the castle.
Ethan turned around to see a woman walking slowly toward them. She had pale skin with pitch black hair. Her gown was purple and pink laced with gold. A pokemon walked behind her that seemed to have a similar gown that was pure white. Evelynn dropped the shards and took a bowing position.
"Good Afternoon my lady. I apologize for the noise. We will clean it up right away." She said quickly. Ethan raised his eyebrows as he looked at the women, then quickly bowed as well.
"Ah, the rose bushes. I have been wondering when these would arrive. Please rise children." She said softly. Both Ethan and Evelynn stood upright quickly, glancing nervously at each other. She moved closer to the both of them and smiled lovingly. "Calm yourselves, you are not in trouble. Accidents happen, especially with someone who has not been on castle grounds before."
"How did you know that I've never been here?" Ethan asked her. She smiled wider.
"Why it is written all over your thoughts. It is clear that this is your first time seeing the gardens or the castle." Ethan opened his mouth to ask how she knew that too, but he just kept quiet. She ran her hand over his cheek, "You've been hurt dear, let me help. Gardevoir, if you'd please."
The Pokemon behind her waved its arm as a burst of pink energy radiated from it, washing over them. Ethan felt the cuts on his face close and several of the burn scars on his arms faded.
Evelynn gasped, "Wow, that's incredible." The Baroness bowed her head slightly at Evelynn.
"Thank you, my dear." She ran her eyes over Ethan's freshly healed face. Glancing at the streaks of black and white hair on the sides of his head. Her eyes narrowed, "Interesting choice of hair color dear." She ran her hands through the streaks, "Is it dyed?"
Ethan pulled his head back slightly at her continued inspection of his head. He glanced at Evelynn, who shrugged. " Uh, no ma'am. I was born with it."
She quickly withdrew her hand, rubbing her fingers together slightly. "Who is your father?" She asked, her eyes running over the rest of his figure.
Ethan was taken aback by the question, but cleared his throat quickly. "Well my Step-Father is Benjamin Campbell. Owner of the Tusk and Nail blacksmith on the edge of town. But I never knew my birth father. He left my mother when I was very young. Before you ask, my mother is Heather Bullock. Owner of Heather and Hibiscus flower shop. They have been separated for a few years but both still take care of me."
She bent down and rubbed Absol's mane softly. Absol looked surprised before seemingly relaxing every muscle and laying on the ground purring loudly. Ethan gave an exasperated look to his friend, "Very professional buddy." A wide smile broke out on Evelynn's face that she tried and failed to cover with her hand.
"A rare pokemon for a rare individual." She said standing back up. She turned away from them to gaze at the topiary. "Children, Do you know what pokemon this is?" she asked. Ethan and Evelynn shook their heads, Ethan noticed Gardevoir and Absol averted their gaze for the topiary slightly.
"This is the god pokemon, Arceus. Said to be the creator of everything. The universe, this world, and every living breathing thing." Ethan raised his eyebrows to Evelynn, she eyed him back as she continued. "As Arceus could no create the universe alone, he created 3 pokemon to help him. One the master of Time, Dialga. One master of space and dimension, Palkia. There is one other we do not speak of, he is the master of the Underworld. He takes many shapes but he is most often seen as a figure in a black hood."
Ethan listened intently, very curious as to where this was going. She continued, "They helped him create the universe. When it came to our world, Arceus is believed to have created others to help maintain order. Some control the elements and weather. Others move continents across the oceans. And some," She looked over at Ethan, smiling. "Some were created to uphold truth and ideals, Zekrom and Reshiram. Two ends of an extreme spectrum, Yin and Yang." She gestured to the streaks on both sides of Ethan's head, "The dark and the light."
Ethan felt goosebumps erupt all over his body. Evelynn was looking back and forth, very confused. "What exactly are you saying, my lady?" Ethan asked slowly. He understood what she said and the legend of Arceus, but not how it applied to him.
She smiled softly at him, "You are an unique individual. I will be watching you closely." She looked down at Absol, "and you too handsome." Absol looked surprised for a second before puffing out his chest and leaning his head back. Ethan rolled his eyes, he knew Absol was trying to look regal.
"Show off," Ethan muttered under his breath. Evelynn snickered and picked up the rose bushes.
"Where would you like these, m'lady?" She asked. The Baroness's gaze lingered on Ethan a final moment before looking toward Evelynn.
"You may drop them off at the servants quarters, the grounds keeper knows where they are to be placed." She said. Evelynn nodded and headed out of the gardens. Ethan watched her leave, she looked back before stepping out of the hedge maze. Ethan could see a smile on her face. He turned back toward the Baroness, trying to hide the redness in his cheeks.
The Baroness giggled softly as a man came through the gardens behind her. He was clad in chainmail with a chain coff over his sword on his side had a well decorated sheath, the opening of which was a Crescent moon. His heater shield depicted yellow ring on a field of brown, Ethan recognized it as the pattern the pokemon Ursaring had on its chest. He had a neatly combed mustache and big bushy eyebrows. His face was smeared with dirt and weatherbeaten. He approached the Baroness and stood at attention.
"My lady, your husband requests your presence. He is meeting with the farmers of the territory to discuss the Pinsir issue; and who is this?" He said, his voice was gruff, like sliding gravel. She turned toward him.
"Ah yes, I should be getting to that. Commander this is Ethan Campbell. He has a delivery for you. I trust that he will be paid fairly for his father's work." She eye him sternly.
The Commander swallowed quickly, "Yes, of course, my lady." She nodded and proceed out of the gardens., Gardevoir following her. She too looked back, but it wasn't a smile but more of a quizzical look.
The Commander approached Ethan, hiking up his belt as he did so. " I am Commander Kodak This is the shield with a Sawsbuck on it correct?" He asked, Ethan jumped slightly, his thoughts still on the two women he had just met.
"What? Oh yes, yes it is, Sir." He pulled the shield off his back and showed it to the Commander. He looked it over quickly before nodding in approvement.
"Hmmm, very good. Now, that is to go to Captain Alexander Ward, who is currently at Fort Skarmory. That being the closest fort, I presume it will not be a problem for you to deliver it their instead." He looked down at Ethan, brow furrowed. Ethan didn't really want to walk all the way to the fort it was several miles away. But he nodded in agreement, knowing his father would be happier it was delivered quickly.
"Very good. Now be on your way and.." He paused, looking towards the edge of the garden the Baroness had left through. He thought for a moment, biting his bottom lip slightly. "Well, perhaps I could speed up your trip slightly. Do you ride, Mr Campbell?"
Ethan's eyes widened, "Uh, no sir. No I haven't."
"Well, you ought to learn." He barked, leading Ethan and Absol out of the gardens. "A useful skill to have, we'll get you saddled up and on your way soon Mr. Campbell."
An hour later, Ethan was swaying back and forth on the back of an old Rhyhorn. Slowly walking through the streets, the crowd parting for the massive beast. Absol walked beside Rhyhorn, glancing up at Ethan from time to time. His knuckles were white, gripping the reigns tightly. He had never ridden a pokemon before, he had not imagined he ever would. Especially something as bulky as Rhyhorn.
They neared the edge of the city, the crowd thinning as he moved closer to it. The road slowly turning from cobblestone to beaten dirt.
"Ok, going into a trot." Ethan said nervously, readjusting in the saddle slightly. He squinted his eyes trying to remember what Commander Kodak had told him to do.
"Grip the reigns firmly and give his side a soft squeeze with your feet. That should get him going." Ethan squeezed Rhyhorns side harder than he meant too, almost a kick. Rhyhorn bolted forward in a full charge. Ethan yelled and grabbed saddle tightly. He could see a blur of white beside him as Absol dashed, trying to keep up. "If he is going too fast, just pull back on the reigns slightly to slow him down." Ethan yanked the reigns back hard. Rhyhorn skidded to a halt as Ethan went flying over his head, flipping in the air, and landing on his back in the road. The shield absorbed some of the impact but the edges bruised the back of Ethan's neck and his hip.
He groaned in pain, knowing he should have just walked to the fort. The large grey form of Rhyhorn appeared over his face, blocking out the afternoon sun. The Pokemon nudged Ethan's head softly with his muzzle.
Ethan reached up and patted Rhyhorns head. "Hey friend. You mind just maybe a slow trot next time." Rhyhorn huffed, blowing Ethan's hair about. He licked Ethan in the face, his rough tongue sliding across Ethan's newly healed skin. "Ow ow ow, Thanks friend. I like you too."
Ethan heard paws running swiftly towards him. He gently pushed Rhyhorn's head away and stood up. Absol bounded up to him; Ethan bent over in time to catch his friend. "Wow wow, take it easy buddy, I'm fine. It was just a little fall." He said, feeling pain throb all over is back. Ethan straightened up, petting Absol's head before remounting Rhyhorn.
He leaned forward past the saddle. "Ok Rhyhorn, like I said. Easy trot. Ok?" Rhyhorn shook his head. Ethan smiled and patted Rhyhorn on the side. "Ok buddy, Let's get going," He softly tapped Rhyhorn on the side.
He started off on a slow trot down the road. Ethan bouncing slightly in the saddle. Absol jogged to keep up with them. Ethan relaxed his grip as he got more comfortable.
The three of them made their way down the windy road through trees for several hours before seeing the stone structures in the distance. Ethan slowed Rhyhorn to a walk as the road led them out to a large clearing in the forest. The fort was to one side of the clearing, closer to the road back to Pidgeot's Peak.
Ethan slowly approached the fort with his pokemon. The stone walls rose two stories above the short grasses growing in the clearing. A flag of a metallic bird, Ethan knew to be Skarmory, fluttered in the breeze on the Bastions. The gate was comprised of two wooden doors reinforced with iron brackets. Ethan admired the craftsmanship that it took to create this mighty fort. Both guards at the front gate bore spears and shields with basic designs on them. Both sidled over to Ethan as he dismounted Rhyhorn in front of the gate.
Absol growled slightly as they drew closer, neither one of them had pleasant looks on their face. "State your business," one of them said gruffly.
"I've got a delivery for Captain Alexander Ward. Commander Kodak in Pidgeot's Peak sent me here. Let be borrow Rhyhorn to ride." The guards looked at each other for a moment before nodding and moving to the gate. One of them pulled the gate open, enough for them to get in. "Thank you," Ethan said as he lead Rhyhorn into the fort, Absol leading them.
Inside the wall was a large open courtyard. On the far side, adjacent to the gate, was a large stone building with bars on the windows and a heavy iron door. Ethan assumed that was the barracks and jail. Beside that was a paddock with several Gogoat and Dodrio resting under a shelter. Along the right wall was a training ground with dummies for swordplay and several targets for archery. Another large building took up most of the left wall. Several soldiers and Machoke were carrying crates into the building. Ethan again, assumed it was a storehouse.
He led Rhyhorn by the reigns over towards the paddock. As he walked he observed the going ons in the fort. Ethan had always been curious what a life in the army would be like.
Several pairs of soldiers were practice fighting with wooden swords, as well as a pair of armorclad Scyther. Another row of soldiers were firing arrows down range. At the end was a owl like pokemon Ethan did not recognize. It too was sending arrows down range with incredible accuracy.
Beside the training ground, an Ursaring and Nidoking were viciously fighting one another. Closely watched by a middle aged man. He was short with dark but graying hair. His stubbly face was grizzled and gaunt. Underneath the green cloak, he wore padded leather armor with the crest of the Pokemon Trainers on it. A Pokeball on a shield in front of crossed swords. Ethan knew the legends of Pokemon Trainers, those who had a natural connection with pokemon and could command them in battle. Most people could oversee one or two at the most, but these men could command a many more.
Ursaring struck Nidoking twice in the chest, then went for a grab around the neck. Nidoking ducked and drove his horn into Ursaring's chin. It fell backwards, unconscious. Nidoking pounded his chest, roaring with triumph. The trainer held up a hand, Nidoking stopped and walked over to stand beside the trainer.
The trainer pulled out a pokeball and Ursaring disappearing into it. Ethan saw on his belt 3 more Pokeballs. Not many people had pokeballs, they were expensive and keeping up with so many pokemon was a difficult challenge.
He looked around, noticing that Ethan had been staring at him. Ethan quickly looked away and hurried the rest of the way towards the paddock, feeling his eyes following him there. He quickly swung the paddock gate open and let Rhyhorn inside. Absol jumped the fence and drank from the water trough. Ethan fumbled with the halter for a minute before sliding it off and draping it over the fence.
Ethan unstrapped the saddle and sat it on top of the halter. Rhyhorn shook himself off, drank from the water trough briefly, and walked over to lay in a pile of dirt under the shelter. Ethan watched him go, though their time together had been very short he already felt a fondness towards the creature.
He turned, intent on finding someone to take him to Captain Ward. Instead, leaning against the fence right beside him, was the Pokemon Trainer he had seen training Nidoking and Ursaring. Ethan had not noticed him approach or stand beside him. The trainer was staring at him. Slowly looking him up and down. Absol walked over and put his front paws up on the top fence plank.
Ethan cleared his throat, a little nervous to talk to someone as important as a Pokemon Trainer. "Uh, hello sir. I have a delivery for Captain Alexander Ward. I was sent by Commander Kodak at Pidgeot's Peak."
The trainer did not answer, he continued to stare at Ethan. Ethan quietly waited for a response. Absol looked back and forth between the two. Ethan scratched Absols mane, reassuring his friend.
"An Absol is a rare Pokemon." The trainer said, his voice was deep and rough. Ethan looked at him, slightly confused. "No ordinary man, especially one so young, could successfully train or capture an Absol."
Ethan didn't really know what to say. Absol had been with him for as long as he could remember. His mother just said he was a gift, but would never tell him from whom. Moreover, he had never tried to train Absol. He always followed his command in the limited battle experience he had.
Ethan just shrugged, "Just luck I guess, Sir."
The trainer eyed him, " Name's Donovan kid, and there's no such thing as luck." He straightened up. "Follow me," he barked as he made his way towards the front wall.
Ethan followed quickly behind him, Absol jumping over the fence again to join him. They made their way back across the courtyard, weaving around soldiers in formation and Machokes with crates. Donovan led them up a set of stone stairs to the top of the walls.
Archers and Geodudes were patrolling around the top of the walls. Every few yards, metal brackets of arrows and crates of small stone were placed for use. Several of the archers nodded at Donovan as he led the way down the wall. Ethan followed close behind him, noticing that Absol staring out towards the edge of the woods some hundred yards away.
Donovan led them along the battlements toward a small group clustered above the doors of the fort. Ethan noticed one of the men was a middle aged man with short blonde hair and green eyes. He wore half plate armor, a longsword strapped to his waist, and a green cap. The other archers moved back to their positions as Donovan, Ethan, and Absol approached. The man turned to look at them.
"Ah, Trainer Donovan, What can I do for you?" He asked.
Donovan gestured behind him towards Ethan, "This young man is looking for you. Says he as a delivery for you." Ethan moved around Donovan and pulled the shield off of his back.
"Captain Alexander Ward? This is the shield you ordered. Crafted and painted by my father at the Tusk and Nail forge. May it serve you well." Ethan removed the cloth over the shield and held it out to the captain.
He eyed the shield with a distasteful look. "Hm, it appears your father needs some more practice with painting." Ethan looked at the shield. The metal was fine, however several areas of the crest where smeared and blotchy, bits of the paint had been scraped off.
All of the color drained from Ethan's face, "Sir, I am so sorry. This is my fault, Commander Kodak lent me a Rhyhorn to get here and he bucked me off. I landed on the shield and must have messed up the paint. I am so sorry sir. I will return and make you a new one right away."
Captain Ward scoffed, "Please child, I think I will seek another blacksmith to make my shield. Perhaps his delivery boy will be less careless. Away with you." Ethan stammered but the Captain turned his back and walked toward one of the bastions. Ethan hung his head, how could he have messed up such an important order. He slowly turned and made his way back down the wall and toward the paddock. Donovan watching him as he went.
Absol followed close behind him, looking up concernedly at his friend. Ethan did not have the heart to comfort him; this was a major blow to his father's business. He wasn't looking forward to telling him what had happened.
Ethan set the ruined shield down and leaned heavily against the paddock fence. Rhyhorn was still napping underneath the shelter. Several other pokemon were as well. Ethan slumped to the ground, he felt Absol's head underneath his arm. He wrapped his arm around his friend and buried his face in his mane. He groaned with sorrow, feeling Absol's chest vibrate as he purred.
Ethan straighten his head up, looking deep into his friends face. It will be ok, there are certainly worse things that could happen. Ethan smiled slightly and scratched Absol's cheek.
"Guess you are right, buddy." Ethan pulled himself to his feet, grabbing Rhyhorn's halter. "Suppose we'd better head back," he said. Absol nodded, rubbing against his leg.
Ethan was about to turn and call for Rhyhorn when Absol suddenly grew tense. He lept in front of Ethan. Claws outstretched, growling, and jerking his head is every direction.
" Absol, what is it?" Ethan said quickly. Before he could move, a faint whistling sound reached his ear.